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This month’s featured article

A word about immigration

Read Rev 4:11

Why Do We Struggle?

Look left and right.

The people you just looked at have struggles.

Nobody in this world is living a pain-free life

The DIFFERENCE is that some of us are living with the joy and peace that comes from walking with God. We have just as many struggles as anyone else, but we handle them differently.

But we all struggle. WHY?

Because of 4 reasons

(1) We have an incorrect view of our (PURPOSE)_______

 “…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."  Isa 43:7

The phrase “called by My Name” refers to the people who choose to accept God as their Lord and who follow Him.

The chief purpose of human beings is to (GLORIFY) God and (ENJOY) Him forever.

(2) We have an incorrect view of (GOD)

 “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Gen 2:7

(2a) God (CREATED) us

“The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."  Zeph. 3:17-18

(2b) God (REJOICES) over us when we are (OBEDIENT)

(3) We have an incorrect view of our own (SIGNIFICANCE)

We tend to think of our own interests. We are selfish. But the reality is that our true self-interest, our best goal is in walking with our Creator.

Jesus said: “I lay down my life for the sheep…..I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” (John 10:15, 24))

God personally came down to earth, in the person of Jesus Christ and personally suffered the penalty for our sins. Our SIGNIFICANCE is that God was willing to do this for us.

(4) We have an incorrect view of our own (ATTITUDE)

Jesus said: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.” Matt 10:24-25

A long-term pattern of disobedience to God is evidence that a person does not really accept Jesus as their Savior.

If you are struggling to obey God, if you have a casual, or calloused attitude, remember what Jesus said about such an attitude.

“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matt 7:21

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." John 6:40

(4a) Belief means to (KNOW) it in your mind and to (SHOW) it in your (BEHAVIOR)

SO – How should we deal with struggles?

God, our Creator and Savior asks us to walk in obedience to Him. When we do this we find ourselves experiencing peace and joy, even in the middle of life’s worst problems.

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:29-30

How are we to “take the yoke”?

(a) PRAYER

(b) FELLOWSHIP - THIS INCLUDES BEING ACTIVE  IN CHURCH

(c) PARTICIPATE IN MISSIONS & PROJECTS

(d) DISCIPLING

(e) TELL PEOPLE WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU

(f) DON’T BE STUBBORN ABOUT OBEYING GOD

All stubbornness is rooted in a misunderstanding of reality.

Disregard for God’s commandments is disregard for God Himself.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created."

(Rev 4:11)

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